Lily's story

Cheshire, England

“Living on loans, struggling financially, and feeling isolated - I just wanted a better life for my daughter and me.”

Escaping abuse and starting over amidst financial struggles 

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Lily, a young mother in her 20s, fled domestic abuse and spent two months in temporary accommodation before moving into social housing in Cheshire. While this marked the beginning of a safer chapter, it came with overwhelming challenges. Settling into a new home as a single mother with limited resources meant confronting high costs for necessities like furniture and school supplies.

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“I spent nearly all my savings on legal issues and couldn’t access public funds. When I moved, I didn’t even have the basics like furniture or clothes for my daughter.”

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To make ends meet, Lily relied on meticulous budgeting and resourcefulness. She used community shops for discounted groceries, avoided using gas or electricity unnecessarily, and borrowed clothes and essentials from friends. Still, the weight of her circumstances threatened to overwhelm her.
 

Discovering a path to hope and stability

After being encouraged by her landlord, Sage Homes, to create an account on the Lightning Reach portal, Lily discovered Home is Where the Harm is, a grant from the National Benevolent Charity in conjunction with CashParks, Lightning Reach and Crowdfunder, dedicated to helping survivors of domestic abuse rebuild their lives. This marked a turning point in her search for support, offering her renewed hope and a sense of possibility amidst her ongoing challenges.

“[The portal] is very straightforward, with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions or boxes to fill out. It didn’t take very long at all”

By consolidating grants and services in one place, the Lightning Reach portal gave Lily the tools she needed to find support tailored to her situation, helping her move closer to stability and security for her family.

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Finding financial and emotional relief

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Lily received financial assistance that immediately impacted her and her daughter’s daily life. The grant provided £200, which helped Lily cover:

• An English exam essential for her university application.

• A table and chair for her daughter to eat, play, and study.

• Essentials like nappies and clothes.

“These items might seem small, but they were a foundation for our home. My daughter now has a space to sit and draw, and I can finally focus on my studies.”

The financial support alleviated pressures and brought her emotional relief. Lily had been questioning whether she could afford to retake her English exam, but with the grant, she gained the confidence to persevere.

“[The grant has] given me more confidence. I was thinking of not doing the English exam at all. I feel this was a sign that I need to do it; it will be a great improvement in my life.”

The process of applying was straightforward and efficient, which was another source of reassurance for Lily.

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“I expected a wait time of 6–8 weeks, but it was only 1.5 weeks. It was very efficient and really great.”

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This experience not only eased Lily’s financial burdens but gave her the motivation to move forward, knowing she was supported in her journey toward rebuilding a better future for herself and her daughter.

Expanding awareness to help others

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Lily is incredibly grateful for the support she received and believes it has made a real difference in her and her daughter's lives. However, she also sees the potential for platforms like Lightning Reach to reach even more people in need.

“It’s a great website. It has improved me and my daughter’s life.”

She also deeply appreciates Sage Homes for their role in connecting her with the resources she needed.

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“My landlord’s support and advice made all the difference—they guided me to the help I needed.”

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Reflecting on her journey, Lily highlighted the importance of raising awareness about such resources among support workers, community organisations, and individuals who may not know where to turn in times of crisis.

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“If more organisations knew about this, like support workers or places like mental health centres, they could recommend it to people in need. That would be a huge help.”

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By sharing her story, Lily hopes to inspire others to seek the help available to them and to encourage wider advocacy for platforms like Lightning Reach and compassionate landlords like Sage Homes.

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Could you or someone you know benefit from financial support? Create your account today at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal to see what you're eligible for.